For thousands of years, gardeners have been pruning plants so as to curtail excessive growth, form desirable shapes, and encourage more of the sort of shoots that will produce flowers and fruit. But there is more to pruning than cutting off the odd branch, and if you attack a plant without basic knowledge the results can be catastrophic. This guide provides techniques that will improve the quality and yield of fruit, flowers, and foliage; encourage growth and point it in the right direction; extend the life of a plant; restrict size; and produce desired shapes, whether elegant or wacky. With sections on when to prune; special treatments for young plants, old plants, hedges, trees, topiary, and knot gardens; detailed advice for more complicated groups such as roses, climbers, and fruit; and a directory of more than 500 plants; this is the practical guide that experienced gardeners and beginners alike have been waiting for.

John Cushnie runs his own garden design and contracting company. He hosts the BBC series The Greenmount Garden and writes for the The Daily Telegraph, Garden Heaven, and BBC Gardeners’ World. His previous books include How to Garden, How to Propagate, and Trees for the Yard and Garden. He is also coauthor of Gardeners' Question Time Plant Chooser and Gardeners' Question Time Techniques and Tips for Gardeners.